Celtics news & rumors: Tatum vs Brown; Harrison Barnes trade buzz

As fun as it was to see Boston Celtics young guns Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown compete in the three-point contest, it was even more fun to watch the two All-Stars battle each other during the All-Star Game.

Prior to the weekend festivities Tatum talked about how fun it would be to guard his teammate when Team LeBron took on Team Durant in the mid-way point spectacular.

Well, he got his chance in the second quarter and here is how the anticipated showdown went down:

While Celtics fans were glimmering at the personal 1-on-1 battle, the two stars obviously had some fun and represented Boston well.

Brown, who made his first All-Star appearance, scored 22 points in helping Team LeBron beat Team Durant 170-150.  Tatum who drew a foul guarding his teammate and buddy finished the game with 21 points in 17 minutes played.

The two stars also were on the losing end of the 3-Point Contest as Stephen Curry proved he’s still the most lethal 3-point shooter in the game.

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Now that the fun and games are over, it is time for Tatum, Brown and the Celtics get down to business and make some noise in the Eastern Conference.

NBA trade rumors: Harrison Barnes on Celtics wish list

Speaking of the Eastern Conference, now that Blake Griffin has taken his talents to the Brooklyn Nets, teams like the Celtics will need to turn to the NBA Trade Deadline to try to improve their team to compete with the new beast of the East.

That is, if Celtics president of basketball operations believes his team can compete this season.

While the team has underachieved during the first half of the season, a current four-game winning streak has launched the C’s back in the conversation, especially with Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown and Kemba Walker all healthy and playing well.

While bigger names are being rumored, one player who can help the Celtics is Sacramento Kings veteran wing Harrison Barnes, who Brian Scalabrine revealed as a player at the top of Boston’s wish list.

Here’s what the former NBA player and current television analyst for the Celtics had to say during a broadcast on Thursday, via NBC Sports Boston:

"“They think Harrison Barnes is the type of guy that can come in here and make a difference.  All the fact of, ‘They’re talking to Detroit, they’re talking to Orlando, they’re even talking to Sacramento,’ all of this is so eventually Sacramento will eventually say, ‘OK, what can we get done with Harrison Barnes?’”"

With Sacramento trying to rebuild, Barnes is a player Scalabrine feels is the perfect fit for the Celtics as he would fill the void of Gordon Hayward as a solid wing scorer who can add some punch off the bench.

So far this season, Barnes is averaging 16.7 points and 6.1 rebounds per game.

Obviously, the Boston Celtics would have to use a major part of their $28.5 million player exception to absorb Barnes’ contract, but if they seriously believe he can push them closer to the top, perhaps Ainge pulls the trigger.

Or perhaps he stays pat (as usual) hoping for something bigger down the road.